Don Norman concludes "The Design of Everyday Things" with a call to action for all designers and users:
“Now you are on your own. If you are a designers, help fight the battle for usability. If you are a user, then join your voice with those who cry for usable products. Write to manufacturers. Boycott unusable designs. Support good designs by purchasing them, even if it means going out of your way, even if it means spending a bit more. And voice your concerns to the stores that carry the products; manufacturers listen to their customers [...]
And enjoy yourself. Walk around the world examining the details of design. Learn how to observe. Take pride in the little things that help: think kindly of the person who so thoughtfully put them in. Realize that even details matter, that the designer may have had to fight to include something helpful. If you have difficulties, remember, it’s not your fault: it’s bad design.”
I appreciate the consistent voice Norman helps give to the user, to know that you are not at fault for not being able to work with a poorly designed product, and that good design can do something far more grand that just created easy-to-use products: it could change the world. I share in Norman's dream to see the "rise of the small" - to see individuals come together from all fields of study to continue to develop interconnectedness on a global scale: giving rise to open-source software that anyone can adapt for their open purposes, open-source 3D printers, and open-source education that can help expand access to education in areas where even basic literacy is limited.
These seemingly small tools are efficient, and with good design, can be used by anymore, allowing the user to make huge gains in areas where they were previously limited by lack of availability or bad design.
Reference:
o A., N. D. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.